Masaya Nakamura (businessman)

Masaya Nakamura (中村 雅哉, Nakamura Masaya, December 24, 1925 – January 22, 2017) was a Japanese businessman and the founder of Namco, originally Nakamura Manufacturing Company. He is often referred to as the "Father of Pac-Man" due to his significant role in the development of the arcade game and his overall contributions to the video game industry.

Nakamura founded Nakamura Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in 1955, initially producing mechanical amusement rides for department stores. Over time, the company expanded into the arcade game market, eventually rebranding as Namco in 1977. He served as president of Namco for many years, guiding the company's rise to prominence with the release of iconic games such as Pac-Man, which became a global phenomenon and one of the most successful arcade games of all time.

Nakamura stepped down as chairman of Namco in 2002, becoming honorary advisor. Following Namco's merger with Bandai in 2005 to form Namco Bandai Holdings (later Bandai Namco Holdings), he served as supreme advisor to the newly formed company.

Nakamura's contributions to the entertainment industry were widely recognized. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career for his entrepreneurial spirit and his impact on popular culture. His legacy remains significant in the history of video games and the global entertainment industry. He passed away on January 22, 2017, at the age of 91.